Responding to the COVID-19 crisis
As the country responded to COVID-19, there was an unprecedented amount of pressure on frontline workers across the UK, as well as on the nation’s mental health.
Many of the practical and emotional challenges that people were facing can also be risk factors for mental health, with many who felt worried, anxious or isolated during those challenging times. Meanwhile those working on the frontline of the crisis across the UK were dealing with all of these challenges while putting their physical and mental health on the line and facing traumatic situations on a daily basis, to keep us safe and well.
Their Royal Highnesses and The Royal Foundation are committed to supporting these extraordinary people on the frontline of responding to COVID-19 in the UK, and supporting the mental health sector as it responds to the immediate and long-term mental health consequences of the pandemic.
Bringing communities together
As part of the continuing work to bring people across the UK together, The Princess of Wales hosted ‘Together at Christmas’, a carol service broadcast on ITV. It was a moment for the nation to come together and reflect, to think not only of the unprecedented challenges that we have all faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also to remember the positives: people and organisations pulling together in their communities, the small acts of kindness across different demographics and generations, and the unsung heroes who stepped up and went above and beyond to help others.
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COVID-19 Response Fund
The Royal Foundation has granted nearly £1.8 million to ten leading charities at the heart of mental health and frontline support, through a bespoke fund set up as part of the organisation’s response to COVID-19. The grants aim to build on the work that the Foundation has already done in recent months to support those on the frontline of the pandemic in the UK, and the mental health sector.
The grants will allow mental health charities to increase their capacity for helpline and chat services to meet rising demand.
Mental Health
As we feel the effects of Covid-19 on the nation’s mental health, it is more important than ever that people feel able to talk about how they are feeling and know where to reach out if they need support. Since the pandemic began, The Royal Foundation has been working closely with the mental health sector to support and amplify its incredible efforts to deal with the immediate and long-term impact of the pandemic on the nation’s mental health, and has embarked on innovative partnerships to signpost people to the support they need.
Our Frontline
Through the pandemic, The Royal Foundation supported Our Frontline, a round the clock mental health and bereavement service to support those working on the frontline against COVID-19.
Leading mental health charities Mind, Samaritans, Shout, and Hospice UK came together to launch the service, with support from The Royal Foundation. Our Frontline provides a combination of 1-2-1 support and online resources for NHS workers, carers, the Blue Light emergency services and key workers who are putting their mental health under pressure.
